the first released "soulsinger" sold 160,000 units independently, and i put it out with a good friend of mine just by word of mouth. and people playedly albums. rychelle was a big influence on me. she started playing my music. same with her saying come to l.a. tomorrow. what? you guys open for me in l.a. that was my introduction in l.a. >> did you have a strong relationship with you before you met her? >> no. i met her briefly and i would go to her shows all the time. i was her little groupie in the back, i love her, i can't wait for my turn, i wish she could hear my music. it took years but it immediately helped. >> reached back. >> yes. a lot of artists don't do that, and now i'm doing it for other people because someone did it for me. patti labelle, chaka kahn, everyone, they've reached back and said we have to lift this girl up. >> how does that feel, people like patti labelle? she didn't just lift you up. she said you are her successor. for her to say that. >> i have these aha moments. you know, you have celebrity friends and they forget that i'm still, like -- i'm, like, a group